Tigers' defensive general The Opposition Analyst
The Age
July 6, 2013 Every quest needs a bedrock on which to build its foundation. In AFL, it has long been established that teams with a solid foundation in defence usually play in September, and indeed can contend late into the biggest month.
In its astute recruitment of Troy Chaplin from the ashes of Port Adelaide circa 2012, Richmond has found its bedrock as it prepares to play finals for the first time in a long time.
While Chaplin may have only recorded eight possessions in the win against St Kilda, his worth to coach Damien Hardwick and his defensive coach Ross Smith can't be measured in statistics. Indeed, while his numbers are low, (Chaplin averages less than 13 disposals a match), he is undoubtedly one of the first picked each week in the improving Richmond defence.
Chaplin's value is that he gives the Tigers critical mass. Not the nuclear fission type (although at 195cm and 99kilograms he certainly can play with a destructive bent), but more in a social demographics kind of way. That is, he brings to the Tigers the type of behaviours and associated actions in his on-field play that shows the other Richmond defenders the way to play. They then become adopters of his behaviour.
Younger players grow taller with the confidence instilled in them by Chaplin and the belief gained from their consequent actions. Players such as Alex Rance and Jake Batchelor, who receive constant on-field mentoring.
Similarly, smaller, running rebounders such as Steven Morris, Brandon Ellis and even the experienced Bachar Houli all benefit from Chaplin's influence and steadying hand. He gets them sorted in relation to the ''where'' (as in their defensive starting points and structures), and the ''when'' (when to attack, when to run forward).
This was evident last Sunday. While Chaplin was off the field, Rance assumed the role of defensive co-ordinator and the status quo remained intact. In fact, so in control were the Tigers against the underwhelming Saints, Chaplin took a five-minute interchange break and the ball did not enter the Tigers' defensive 50 area or trouble any defenders during that time.
Acting in unison with the other on-field general - the long-serving (and suffering) Chris Newman - Chaplin is like a traffic cop in the peak-hour rush. He is forever pointing and yelling instructions to his fellow defenders, cajoling and encouraging them to get to the right spots.
As an older, experienced player he has become another on-field coach who plays a crucial role in enforcing the Hardwick game plan. His coach has already mentioned how important Chaplin is to the team and its finals chances, and if the Tigers are to go deep into September by beating the better-organised offences, he will be even more vital to the defensive group holding its mettle.
Chaplin is no slouch with his own play either. He has the capability to play on both the tall forwards as well as the lead-up key forwards. Against Collingwood, he took control when Travis Cloke monstered Rance for two goals in two minutes, relieving the younger defender and taking Cloke even before the runner had arrived with the inevitable change. Rance went to the bench and regathered himself, while Chaplin set about re-leashing Cloke before handing him back to Rance once he returned.
Against St Kilda, he matched up on the form forward of the competition, the Saints' solo shining star Nick Riewoldt. Chaplin more than matched him in the one-on-one marking duels, and used his size to advantage. He was then smart enough not to chase Riewoldt as he worked high up the MCG in search of possessions, instead hanging off the Saints skipper and waiting across the middle of the ground to re-engage him as he returned forward.
It is this kind of experience and football nous that outlines why Hardwick chased Chaplin and has firmly entrenched him as the bedrock player of the Tigers back line. Any team that is looking to beat Richmond would do well to put time and effort into negating Chaplin.
The opposition analyst works in that role for an AFL club.Read more:
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